Totally 80s and 90s Recall

This week, we’re firing up the intensity with Heat, Michael Mann’s epic 1995 crime saga that brought together two cinematic titans — Al Pacino and Robert De Niro — for the first time ever in a shared scene. (Yes, The Godfather Part II doesn’t count — different timelines, folks.)

Heat is a gritty, stylish, and emotionally charged cat-and-mouse thriller set against the moody backdrop of Los Angeles. Pacino plays Lt. Vincent Hanna, a ...

Ill Communication, released in 1994, marked a high point for the Beastie Boys, blending their signature irreverent style with genre-hopping experimentation. The album saw the trio—Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock—seamlessly fuse hardcore punk, jazz-funk, and old-school hip-hop, with the standout single “Sabotage” becoming an anthem of the era. Its explosive bassline, distorted guitars, and aggressive delivery captured the Beasties at their...

This week on Totally 80s and 90s Recall, Dave, Rob, and Kurt go full flannel as they rewind to 1995 and dive headfirst into Kevin Smith’s cult classic Mallrats—a movie that taught a generation never to trust a chocolate covered pretzel, stay out of the back of Volkswagens, and for the love of Stan Lee, fear the escalator

Our trio of podcasting mallrats unpacks the film's most unforgettable moments, from Brodie’s unapologetic comic ...

It’s the battle of the decade openers! In this episode, David and Rob rewind to 1980 and 1990 to break down the biggest, boldest, and most unforgettable songs that launched the '80s and '90s in style. From the final echoes of disco and the rise of New Wave to the dawn of hip-hop’s golden age and the birth of the pop mega-star—these two years were more than just the start of a new decade. They were cultural resets.

Who had the bette...

1995 was a transitional year for what was known as “Alternative” music, as it started to become a melting pot of old and new styles in the post grunge world. Bands like Foo Fighters and Bush carried a little of the old grunge ideals, but with a more radio friendly style. Britpop and electronic based music started to become very popular. Huge albums from Alannis Morissette and The Smashing Pumpkins showed that songs about introspect...

This week, we’re diving into the high-stakes, high-pressure world of Crimson Tide—the 1995 submarine thriller that pits two powerhouse performances against each other: Gene Hackman as a grizzled, old-school Navy captain, and Denzel Washington as his calm, calculated executive officer.

When a rogue Russian faction threatens nuclear war, the crew of the U.S.S. Alabama receives an incomplete order that could either prevent global cata...

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most iconic and meticulously produced rock albums of the 1980s — Def Leppard’s Hysteria. Released in 1987, this monster record took over the airwaves with a perfect blend of hard rock swagger, pop hooks, and groundbreaking production.

We break down the story behind the album’s creation — from Rick Allen’s triumphant return after losing his arm, to Mutt Lange’s obsessive studio perfectio...

The 80s were a great time for music, perhaps even the greatest. From innovations in technology, like synthesizers and drum machines to memorable hooks and big 80s production the 80s were next level iconic. The music of the 80s spread across so many genres and styles it pretty much gave everyone something great to listen to. If you were into pop, rock, hip hop, synth dance pop, alternative or just about anything the 80s had it right...

This week we dive into the cult classic from 1995, Empire Records. This dramedy is set over the course of a single day at an independent record store in the mid 90’s. The store is staffed by an eclectic group of teenagers and young adults all dealing with their own problems while trying to save the store from being turned into a corporate Music Town. Dave, Rob and Kurt will rewatch this 90s classic and see if it still holds up and ...

Whether it was grunge, hip-hop or pop albums shaped the identity of entire generations. They weren’t just music, there were statements, lifestyles and defining moments. Unlike today where you can access songs as a single streaming item, listening to an album in the 90s became an entire experience. Albums would have intro tracks, interludes, deep cuts and secret songs that you’d only find by listening to the whole record. This week,...

Singers and groups have always been inspired by the music that came before them. In the 80s, many of these artists found key success by recording other bands or songwriters material or what is called a Cover. So why do musicians cover songs instead of writing their own? Well a variety of reasons as it turns out, tribute to influences, reaching a wider audience, live performance appeal, TV and film soundtracks, being directed by a s...

This week we tackle the 1995 comedy classic Tommy Boy starring Chris Farley and David Spade. We’re heading out on the road with a recently graduated Tommy (Farley) and accountant Richard (Spade) to try and save Tommy’s Dad’s company after he passes away. They sing, fight, make up and maybe even become friends with some wild and interesting stuff happening along the way. Dave, Rob and Kurt will break down their favorite parts of the...

TV show theme songs started to grow up a little in the 90s. Instead of family friendly, poppy and catchy tunes, 90s TV shows started embracing more musical choices that reflected the changing times. In the 90s, TV execs started tapping into hip hop and alternative rock culture to ensure young people found the songs relevant. The old formula of the 70s and 80s gave way to more instrumental pieces and the use of pre-existing popular ...

Rap music in the 1980s was a groundbreaking and rapidly evolving genre that laid the foundation for modern hip-hop. It started as an underground movement in New York and transformed into a cultural phenomenon by the end of the decade. Early artists like the Sugarhill Gang and Kurtis Blow laid the foundation for artists like Run DMC, the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J to begin to bring rap to a larger audience. By the end of the 80s, ra...

The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes, is a classic teen drama that takes place over the course of a single Saturday detention at Shermer High School. The film follows five students from vastly different social cliques. The five classes include the criminal, the princess, the jock, the nerd and the basket case. Being overseen by an angry Vice Principal, the 5 students start to learn they have more in common than they realize....

During this month 35 years ago, the whole world threw on some Hammer pants and was captivated by the world’s most famous Bat Boy. We’re heading back to 1990 to look at the smash hit album by MC Hammer, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em. Hammer’s second studio album was a massive commercial success, solidifying him as one of the biggest hip-hop/pop crossover artists of the early 90’s. He also happened to be blaring consistently through th...

Valentine’s Day in the 80s and 90s had a different, unique charm than today. The holiday was less digital, more personal and packed with pop culture influences. On this week’s episode, Rob and Dave look back at the candy, TV and music of the most romantic holiday in the 80s and 90s. From hand made cards, mixtapes and school dances serenaded by Wham, Valentines Day has a nostalgic feel from that time of when you just sent flowers to...

This week we’re taking a look at a classic sports comedy that blends zany humor with an underdog story. We’re heading back 45 years to the upscale Bushwood Country Club where this movie revolves around a diverse group of quirky characters. Danny Noonan is a young caddy trying to earn a scholarship to pay for college. He attempts to win the favor of the eccentric club co-founder, Judge Smails, while navigating the antics of other co...

We’re heading back 30 years this week to look at the 100 hottest songs in America, according to radio and album sales, for this week in January 1995. 1995 was diverse, reflecting a wide range of genres that dominated the charts and defined the cultural landscape of the mid 1990’s. Styles that were popular were grunge/alternative rock, Britpop to include bands like Oasis, Blur and Pulp, Pop Music, Hip Hop and R&B, Country music ...